The S.C. Department of Public Safety can confirm a trooper was shot after initiating a traffic stop in Bamberg County around 3:30 a.m. on April 16. S.C. Highway Patrol Lance Corporal B.A. Frazier initiated the traffic stop on US-78 for a speeding violation. The violator was driving more than 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limit.

At some point during the traffic stop, the violator began shooting at the trooper before driving away from the scene. A second trooper heard the radio call out with the suspect’s vehicle description and initiated a pursuit that ended in Orangeburg County when the suspect crashed his vehicle into a house.

We can confirm Lance Corporal Frazier was shot on the right side of his face, but we are told that his injuries are non-life-threatening. Lance Corporal Frazier has been with Troop 7 since 2018 and currently serves in Post A (Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, and Hampton). 

As standard protocol, the State Law Enforcement Division has been called in to handle the investigation. Additional questions regarding the investigation should be directed to SLED. 

The South Carolina Department of Public Safety includes the Highway Patrol, State Transport Police, Bureau of Protective Services, Office of Highway Safety and Justice Programs, and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Officers Hall of Fame. Our mission is to ensure public safety by protecting and serving the people of South Carolina and its visitors.